Who it suits
- You have lost weight but the arms, flanks or outer thighs still look the same
- Love handles push over the waistband even with regular exercise
- A double chin or full lower cheeks blur your jawline
- You want a smooth, even line rather than the thinnest possible result
- You are planning breast surgery and also want arm or accessory-breast fat removed
Before & After
Apart from masking moles, scars, tattoos and other identifying marks and adjusting the background and color, the photos are unretouched. More cases can be seen at the clinic.
See all before & after photos →Is Liposuction right for you?
Tap what applies. We turn it into an inquiry, and our team replies with suggested next steps for your trip.
Hello, I'm interested in Liposuction at LAHYEON Plastic Surgery. Could you suggest a plan for me?
No booking until you confirm.
What liposuction in Korea does
Liposuction removes fat that has built up under the skin using negative pressure, ultrasound or laser. Because it removes fat cells from the treated area, the number of fat cells there goes down and rebound is less likely. Keeping a steady weight with sensible eating and exercise still matters.
Weight and body shape are different things. Some people lose weight from the upper body first and keep it in the thighs; others slim down at the waist but keep the arms. Liposuction changes the line of a specific area. It is not a weight-loss treatment.
At LAHYEON Plastic Surgery the surgery is done after a detailed assessment, under the clinic's anesthesia system and with suction equipment matched to each area. The clinic combines hand-controlled technique with this equipment, and laser aftercare is part of recovery.
Body areas: arms, abdomen, love handles, thighs
Arms: fat is removed from the deep layer and, carefully, the superficial layer for smoother skin. Part of the back that connects to the arm can be treated at the same time. Dr. Im looks at the whole run from shoulder to armpit, bra line and elbow, because thinning only the middle of the upper arm makes the areas above and below stand out.
Abdomen: the fat layer is thick, so full-layer liposuction tends to give a clear change. The front of the abdomen is planned together with the flanks and waist so the line does not break when seen from 45 degrees or the side.
Love handles: fat here often stays despite diet and exercise. It is removed while keeping a soft curve at the waist.
Thighs: a common area for Korean patients. The thigh is cylindrical, so the line from pelvis to outer thigh to knee is planned as one shape.
Other areas include the inner thighs, the whole circumference of the upper arm (360°) and the accessory breast near the armpit. Arm and accessory-breast liposuction can be done in the same surgery as breast augmentation.
Face: double chin and deep cheek fat
Face liposuction uses fine instruments to remove fat under the chin and the deep fat in the lower cheeks, to make the face look lighter and the jawline clearer.
The clinic uses a manual, hand-controlled technique to limit adhesion and sagging and to encourage the skin to tighten over the treated area. How the skin responds still varies by person.
How Dr. Im plans liposuction
Dr. Im Jung-woo, a board-certified general surgeon, sees you from consultation through surgery and follow-up. He asks how evenly fat can be left, not how much can be taken. An even layer of fat under the skin keeps the surface smooth; over-thinning one spot next to a fuller spot shows up as a dent or a bulge.
The body is three-dimensional. Before surgery he checks you from the front, at 45 degrees and from the side, and during surgery he keeps working on the borders between areas.
Skin elasticity also shapes the result. If the skin is already loose, it may not shrink fully after fat is removed, so he checks skin thickness and laxity beforehand and may suggest skin-tightening care for some patients.
Recovery: swelling, firmness and the first week
Most people return to daily routines after about 2 to 3 days and to most activities within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the area and how much is treated. The final line takes about 3 to 6 months to show.
Dr. Im calls the first week after surgery the hardest week, because it is when patients worry most. Swelling, fluid and healing tissue can make one side look fuller, some spots feel firm, or the skin look uneven. Some firmness from fibrosis can be felt as cords under the skin. This stage is not the final result.
Wearing the compression garment as instructed is important. Laser aftercare and other care that helps swelling settle are used depending on the stage of recovery. If a clear dent or bulge remains after full recovery, the cause is assessed and a correction is planned separately.
Treatment steps
- Consultation with Dr. Im: areas, fat thickness, skin elasticity, front/45°/side check
- Design marking based on the line each area should connect to
- Liposuction under the clinic's anesthesia system, area by area
- Compression garment from the day of surgery
- Follow-up and aftercare as swelling settles over the following weeks and months
Your medical team
Dr. Im Jung-wooBoard-certified general surgeon
Dr. Kim Il-gonBoard-certified general surgeon
Dr. Koo Bon-junBoard-certified plastic surgeon
What your consultation covers
- One-on-one, in a private room
- Your consultation is held one-on-one, so you can ask about concerns you would rather not raise in front of others.
- A plan based on your proportions
- We look at how the area connects with the rest of your face or body before recommending anything, and we tell you honestly when something is not a good fit.
- A quote for your plan
- Cost depends on what your plan involves, so you receive a quote after the consultation.
- Timing from abroad
- Include your travel dates when you contact us, so recovery and follow-up can be discussed before you book flights.
Questions
How long is recovery after liposuction?
It depends on the area and how much is treated. Most people return to daily life after 2 to 3 days and to most activities within 1 to 2 weeks. Full recovery and the final result take about 3 to 6 months.
My skin looks lumpy a week after surgery. Is something wrong?
Early unevenness usually comes from swelling settling at different speeds and from temporary firmness as tissue heals. Keep wearing the compression garment and judge the result after full recovery; Dr. Im reviews any area that still looks uneven.
Will the fat come back after liposuction?
Liposuction removes fat cells from the treated area, so rebound there is less likely. Keeping a steady weight with sensible eating and exercise still helps the result last.
Will my face sag or look uneven after face liposuction?
The clinic works by hand to limit adhesion and sagging and to keep the line smooth. As the treated skin tightens, the jawline usually looks firmer and more defined. Skin quality differs, so Dr. Im checks it at consultation.
How should I prepare for liposuction?
Stop smoking and drinking before surgery and pause medicines that affect blood circulation. Detailed instructions are given individually at consultation.
Can I have liposuction and breast surgery on the same trip?
Yes. Liposuction of the upper arms and the accessory breast can be done in the same surgery as breast augmentation. Whether a combination suits you, and the recovery plan, is decided at consultation.
Blog
Results vary by person.
